U.S. patent application number 11/124627 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for multi-mode pointing device and systems and methods using the pointing device.
This patent application is currently assigned to Infinium Labs, Inc.. Invention is credited to Tyrol R. Graham, Eric J. Hull, Ryan T. Lane.
Application Number | 20060007131 11/124627 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35394809 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060007131 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lane; Ryan T. ; et
al. |
January 12, 2006 |
Multi-mode pointing device and systems and methods using the
pointing device
Abstract
An article includes a pointing device having a stationary
tracking component; a base; and a keyboard arrangement. The
keyboard arrangement is coupled to the base and is configured and
arranged to move between at least a first position and a second
position. When the keyboard arrangement is in the second position,
the keyboard arrangement is capable of holding the pointing device
stationary and has an aperture to expose the stationary tracking
component of the pointing device. The pointing device, in a first
mode, provides pointer control by movement on a track surface of
the base and, in a second mode, provides pointer control using the
stationary tracking component.
Inventors: |
Lane; Ryan T.; (Seattle,
WA) ; Hull; Eric J.; (Seattle, WA) ; Graham;
Tyrol R.; (Seattle, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P. O. BOX 5257
NEW YORK
NY
10150-5257
US
|
Assignee: |
Infinium Labs, Inc.
Sarasota
FL
|
Family ID: |
35394809 |
Appl. No.: |
11/124627 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60569187 |
May 7, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/0202 20130101;
G06F 3/0395 20130101; G06F 3/0219 20130101; G06F 3/0213 20130101;
G06F 3/021 20130101; G06F 3/03543 20130101; G06F 3/02 20130101;
G06F 3/0221 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/156 |
International
Class: |
G09G 5/00 20060101
G09G005/00 |
Claims
1. An article comprising: a pointing device comprising a stationary
tracking component; a base; and a keyboard arrangement coupled to
the base and configured and arranged to move between at least a
first position and a second position, wherein, when the keyboard
arrangement is in the second position, the keyboard arrangement is
capable of holding the pointing device stationary and has an
aperture to expose the stationary tracking component of the
pointing device; wherein the pointing device, in a first mode,
provides pointer control by movement on a track surface of the base
and, in a second mode, provides pointer control using the
stationary tracking component.
2. The article of claim 1, wherein the pointing device is a
mouse.
3. The article of claim 2, wherein the stationary tracking
component is a touchpad.
4. The article of claim 1, wherein the keyboard arrangement
comprises a keyboard.
5. The article of claim 4, wherein the keyboard arrangement further
comprises a keyboard support coupled to the keyboard.
6. The article of claim 5, wherein the keyboard support is movably
coupled to the base and configured and arranged to move the
keyboard arrangement between the first position and the second
position
7. The article of claim 5, wherein the keyboard is rotatably
coupled to the keyboard support.
8. The article of claim 7, wherein the keyboard is configured and
arranged to rotate about the keyboard support between the first
position and the second position.
9. The article of claim 3, wherein, in the first mode, a region of
the touchpad of the pointing device is configured and arranged to
perform a left click button function.
10. The article of claim 3, wherein, in the first mode, a region of
the touchpad of the pointing device is configured and arranged to
perform a right click button function.
11. The article of claim 3, wherein, in the first mode, a region of
the touchpad of the pointing device is configured and arranged to
perform a scrolling function.
12. The article of claim 1, wherein the pointing device further
comprises a left click button.
13. The article of claim 12, wherein the aperture of the keyboard
arrangement is configured and arranged to expose the left click
button when the keyboard arrangement is in the second position.
14. The article of claim 1, wherein the pointing device further
comprises a right click button.
15. The article of claim 14, wherein the aperture of the keyboard
arrangement is configured and arranged to expose the right click
button when the keyboard arrangement is in the second position.
16. The article of claim 1, further comprising a switch mechanism
that is actuated as the keyboard arrangement moves between the
first and second positions, wherein actuation of the switch
mechanism puts the pointing device in the first mode if the
keyboard arrangement is moved to the first position and puts the
pointing device in the second mode if the keyboard arrangement is
moved to the second position.
17. The article of claim 1, further comprising a manual switch
mechanism that when actuated changes the pointing device between
the first and second modes.
18. A system comprising: a controller; a display coupled to the
controller to display information from the controller; and an input
device coupled to the controller, the input device comprising; a
pointing device comprising a stationary tracking component, a base,
and a keyboard arrangement coupled to the base and configured and
arranged to move between at least a first position and a second
position, wherein, when the keyboard arrangement is in the second
position, the keyboard arrangement is capable of holding the
pointing device stationary and has an aperture to expose the
stationary tracking component of the pointing device, wherein the
pointing device, in a first mode, provides pointer control by
movement on a track surface of the base and, in a second mode,
provides pointer control using the stationary tracking
component.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the stationary tracking
component is a touchpad.
20. A method of operating a pointing device, the method comprising:
moving a pointing device on a track surface of a base to control a
pointer when a keyboard arrangement, movably coupled to the base,
is in a first position; and using a stationary tracking component
disposed on the pointing device to control a pointer when the
keyboard arrangement is in a second position in which the keyboard
arrangement holds the pointing device stationary.
21-27. (canceled)
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The patent applications claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/569,187, filed on May.
7, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The inventions are directed to pointing devices, such as a
mouse, and systems and methods using the pointing devices. In
addition, the inventions are directed to multi-mode pointing
devices and systems and methods using the pointing devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pointing devices, such as a mouse, track ball, or joystick,
have been used for many years as an input for computers, terminals,
consoles (such as game consoles), and other devices. Pointing
devices typically include a mechanism for controlling a pointer on
a screen and allow the user to move the pointer around the screen.
The pointer can be an arrow, a cursor, or any other object. Often
pointing devices also include one or more click buttons or other
mechanisms that cause certain actions to take place when the click
button is actuated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present
invention are described with reference to the following drawings.
In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.
[0005] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference will be made to the following Detailed Description, which
is to be read in association with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of one arrangement of a
system, according to the inventions;
[0007] FIG. 2A is an isometric view of an icontroller in an open
position, according to the inventions;
[0008] FIG. 2B is an isometric view of a portion of the icontroller
of FIG. 2A;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the icontroller in a
closed position holding a pointing device, according to the
inventions;
[0010] FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of a pointing device
in one mode, according to the inventions; and
[0011] FIG. 4B is a schematic representation of the pointing device
in another mode, according to the inventions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The present inventions are directed to pointing devices,
such as a mouse, and systems and methods using the pointing
devices. In particular, the present inventions are directed to
multi-mode pointing devices and systems and methods of using the
pointing devices.
[0013] The pointing device is typically coupled to a controller
such as a computer, terminal, console (e.g., a game console), or
the like. The controller can execute programs or connect to a
provider, such as a server, a network, or the Internet, that
executes or provides programs to the controller. Connection to the
provider can be accomplished using any connection technology
including, for example, wired or wireless networks or combinations
thereof. For example, the pointing device may be used in
conjunction with a console that connects to a service on the
Internet that allows a user to play games or execute other
applications over the Internet; either by direct communication with
the Internet or by downloading the game or application from the
Internet. One example of such a system is described in U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/569,187, incorporated herein by
reference. As another alternative, the pointing device can be used
with a controller that has the game or application stored locally,
for example, on a hard drive, or on removable media, such as a
CD-ROM, cartridge, DVD, magnetic storage media, or the like.
[0014] The pointing device has multi-mode operation. In one mode,
the pointing device provides pointer control by movement of the
pointing device over a surface. In another mode, the pointing
device is held stationary in position and pointer control is
provided by a stationary tracking component, such as a touch pad or
the like, disposed on the pointing device.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an arrangement for using
the pointing device. The arrangement includes a server 208 coupled
to the Internet 210 or other network. A controller 200 (for
example, a computer, console, or terminal) is coupled to the
Internet 210 (or network) for receiving information from the server
208. In alternative arrangements, the information is stored on the
controller or provided by removable media, such as a CD-ROM,
cartridge, DVD, magnetic storage media, or the like. The controller
200 can be coupled by wire to the Internet 210 or a network via a
modem or other device, can be coupled wirelessly to the Internet or
a network, or any combination thereof. The arrangement also
includes a display 202, a keyboard 206, and a pointing device 204
(for example, a mouse or other input device such as a track ball, a
joystick, a wheel, a pedal, a biometric sensor, a tactile feedback
device, or the like) that are connected to the controller 200. A
mouse will be exemplified herein as the pointing device 204.
[0016] The keyboard 206 and the pointing device 204 can be coupled
to the controller 200 in any wired or wireless manner using any
local communication protocol. The display 202 can be a high
definition television, standard definition television, computer
monitor, or the like.
[0017] The pointing device can be used in conjunction with a
keyboard where both the mouse and keyboard are associated together
as an icontroller. FIG. 2A illustrates an isometric view of an
icontroller 300 in its open position and FIG. 2B illustrates an
isometric view of a portion of the icontroller 300. FIG. 3
illustrates an isometric view of the icontroller 300 in a closed
position. Icontroller 300 includes a base 310 that is movably
coupled by a hinge 312 to a keyboard support 320 and keyboard
support arm 326. The keyboard support 320 can be moved between at
least a first position (an open position) and a second position (a
closed position). The base 310 and the keyboard support 320 rotate
relative to each other about hinge 312. When the keyboard support
320 is extended to an open position from the base 310, a track
surface 342 on the base 310 is available for moving a mouse
340.
[0018] The keyboard support 320 is coupled to a keyboard 330.
Optionally, the keyboard 330 is rotationally coupled to the
keyboard support such that the keyboard 330 can rotate in a plane
substantially parallel to the keyboard support 320. The keyboard
330 can be rotated to any position convenient for a user, including
swiveling 180 degrees for left handed use. The ability to swivel
the keyboard is also useful when placing the icontroller 300 in the
user's lap while seated. The keyboard 330 can be allowed to rotate
freely at all times or can be fixed in one or more positions with a
detent, a pin, a rotational friction brake, and the like. In other
embodiments, the keyboard and keyboard support form a unitary
piece. The keyboard support arm may also be part of the unitary
piece.
[0019] The icontroller 300 can optionally include a biosensor 334
for detecting a characteristic of a user, such as a finger print
and the like. To provide status information, a visual indicator
336, such as a light emitting diode (LED), a liquid crystal display
(LCD), and the like, can be optionally included with the
icontroller 300. Other visual effects can also be included, such as
backlighting of the keyboard 330, a light over the base 310, and
the like. The icontroller 300 can also optionally include a
navigation control, such as a 5-way navigation control 338. The
navigation control 338 can be, for example, a set of related
buttons, rocker switches, or mini-joystick used to navigate the
user through a user interface of a software program.
[0020] The keyboard support arm 326 is rotationally coupled to the
base 310 via the hinge 312. When the icontroller 300 is fully
assembled, the keyboard support arm 326 is attached to the keyboard
support 320. In one embodiment, the keyboard support arm 326 forms
a channel and includes a cutout 328 through which a kickstand 314
can travel as keyboard support arm 326 is rotated relative to the
base 310. The kickstand 314 rotates about a kickstand hinge 316
that is coupled to the base 310. The kickstand 314 can be allowed
to rotate to a position that is slightly beyond perpendicular to
the base 310 to a locking position. As the kickstand 314 rotates, a
kickstand pin 318 travels in the channel formed by the keyboard
support arm 326. When the keyboard support 320 is attached to the
keyboard support arm 326, the kickstand pin 318 supports the
keyboard support 320. Other configurations can be used, such as a
pin in a track on a bottom surface of the keyboard support 320, a
rack and pinion, a spring, a support rod, and the like.
[0021] The keyboard support 320 (or, alternatively, the keyboard
330) includes one or more extensions 362a, 362b, 362c. The
extensions 362a, 362b, 362c cooperate so that when the keyboard
support 320 is in the closed position, the mouse 340 can be held in
a docked position by the extensions with at least a portion (or
portions) of the mouse accessible. For example, two or more mouse
holding members 362a, 362b, 362c, such as small rubberized nubs,
plastic pins, or the like, can be set on or near the edge of the
base 310 and on the keyboard support 320. When the icontroller 300
is closed, these mouse holding members are positioned so that the
base of the mouse 340 (which, optionally, has concave sides) is
firmly held between the mouse holding members. Portions of the
base, keyboard support, or keyboard can also be used to hold the
mouse in place. One or more of the extensions can include a latch
that latches onto the mouse when the mouse is placed in the docked
position. The latch can be manually or automatically disengaged to
allow the mouse to be removed from the docked position.
[0022] In another embodiment, a single extension can be used that
extends from the keyboard support or the keyboard to hold the
pointing device. This extension can have an aperture that allows a
portion or portions of the mouse to be accessible through the
aperture. The aperture can be, for example, an opening in the
extension so that the mouse is positioned within the opening with
an upper region of the mouse extending out of the opening and the
mouse held in place by the sidewalls of the opening. As another
example, the keyboard support can include a more elaborate
enclosure with sidewalls, pins, or the like extending from the
bottom of the keyboard support to hold the mouse in place when in
the closed position. As yet another example, the mouse may be held
in place simply by being firmly held between the bottom surface of
the keyboard support and the top surface of the base.
[0023] The extensions 362a, 362b, 362c can be in a fixed position
relative to the remainder of the keyboard support 320.
Alternatively, one or more of the extension(s) can be movable so
that it can be moved out of the way when not in use. For example,
the extension(s) can be rotatably or slidably coupled to the
remainder of the keyboard support 320 so that, for example, the
extension(s) can be rotated or slid beneath another portion of
keyboard support or keyboard 330.
[0024] The base 310, keyboard support 320, keyboard 330, mouse 340
or another portion of the icontroller 300 also includes a switch
that is actuated when the keyboard support moves between the open
and closed positions. Actuation of the switch mechanism also
switches the mouse operation between mouse modes, as described
below. Any switch mechanism can be used including, for example,
contact switches and optical switches. The switch mechanism is
typically actuated automatically as the keyboard support is moved
between the open and closed positions. Alternatively or
additionally, the switch mechanism can be actuated manually.
[0025] In one embodiment, the switch mechanism is only fully
actuated when the icontroller is closed and the mouse is in the
docked position. In this embodiment, a single switch mechanism can
be positioned to identify both conditions or two cooperative
switches can be used; one to determine when the icontroller is
closed and the other to determine if the mouse is in the docked
position. This arrangement can allow the mouse to be used, if it is
not docked, when the icontroller is in the closed position.
[0026] Optionally, one or more additional switch mechanisms can be
included on the base 310, keyboard support 320, keyboard 330, mouse
340 or another portion of the icontroller 300 and operated
manually. For example, a second switch mechanism can be positioned
on the mouse 340 or keyboard 330 to allow a user, if desired, to
switch modes even when the keyboard support does not move between
open and closed positions.
[0027] In an alternative arrangement, change between the modes of
the pointing device (e.g., mouse) occurs as the keyboard 330 is
rotated from an original position parallel to the base 310 to a
swiveled position. The switch is actuated by rotation of the
keyboard to the swiveled position or back to the original
position.
[0028] Turning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the mouse 340 includes a body
400, an optional cord 410, a stationary tracking component such as
a touchpad 420, an optional left click button 430, an optional
right click button 432, and a mechanism (not shown) such as an
optical sensor or a rolling ball on the bottom of the mouse to
track movement of the mouse over a surface so that the movement can
be transferred to the pointer on the display. The optional cord 410
can provide wired connection between the mouse 340 and the
icontroller 300 or, if the mouse is wirelessly connected, the cord
can be used to couple the mouse to the icontroller so that the
mouse is not lost or misplaced.
[0029] Any stationary tracking component, which controls movement
of the pointer on the display when the mouse or other pointing
device is held stationary, can be used. The touchpad 420 can be any
touchpad configuration or the like including, but not limited to,
touchpads that operate with capacitive, resistive, or optical modes
of detection. Other stationary tracking components can be used
instead of the touchpad such as, for example, a trackball or a
j-mouse (a device, which in one embodiment looks like a small
eraser, that responds to pressure applied by a finger.)
[0030] The optional left and right click buttons 430, 432 can be
any type of click button including, but not limited to, buttons
that operate by mechanical, electrical, or optical actuation. The
optional left and right click buttons 430, 432 can be any shape and
can be positioned anywhere on the body 400. Additional click
buttons (not shown) can also be used, such as, for example, a
central click button or a thumb-button on the side of the mouse.
Another optional component is a scroll wheel (not shown) that can
be placed anywhere on the mouse, although it is often positioned
between the right and left click buttons.
[0031] The mouse 340 is configured to operate in at least two modes
depending upon whether the keyboard support 320 is in the open or
closed position (alternatively, the mode can be changed using an
optional manual switch.) When the mouse is in a first mode (FIG.
4A), typically corresponding to the keyboard support 320 in the
open position, the mouse 340 can be moved around the track surface
342 of the base 310 to control the pointer on the display. The
touchpad 420 on the mouse 340 can have one or more active regions.
Embodiments of the invention have one or more of active regions
422, 424, 426, as desired. Region 422 can be used, for example, as
a left click button region. Tapping or touching this region 422
with a finger, stylus, or other object results in the same response
by the controller 200 as actuating a left click button. Region 424
can be used, for example, as a right click button region. Tapping
or touching this region 424 with a finger, stylus, or other object
results in the same response by the controller 200 as actuating a
right click button. Region 426 can be used as a scrolling section
with up and down motion by a finger, stylus, or other object along
region 426 resulting in up or down scrolling of information on the
display. Alternatively, region 426 can be used as a center click
button. Optionally, one or more of the regions 422, 424, 426 can be
textured or colored to indicate the extent of the region and
facilitate use by an operator. For example, both regions 422 and
424 can be textured or colored so that the user can rapidly
determine where to tap or touch to generate a desired effect
associated with a left or right click button, respectively. In one
embodiment, touchpad 420 includes a liquid crystal display or other
display that is used to indicate one or more of the regions 422,
424, 426 by color or graphics.
[0032] The mouse has a second mode (FIG. 4B), typically
corresponding to the keyboard support 320 in the closed position
with the mouse 340 captured within the extensions 362a, 362b, 362c
and held stationary. In this mode, the touchpad 420 of the mouse
340 becomes the mechanism for pointer control based on movement of
a finger, stylus, or other object along the touchpad. One or more
of the regions 422, 424, 426 may no longer have the same function
that they did in the first mode so that those regions can become
part of a pointer control region 440. In one embodiment, the
pointed control region includes the entire touchpad 420.
Alternatively, regions 422, 424, or smaller subsections of those
regions (for example, regions 422a, 424a of FIG. 4B), may still act
as left or right click buttons respectively. Optional left and
right click buttons 430, 432 can, instead, provide the left click
and right click features of the mouse 340. An optional scroll wheel
(not shown) can provide the scrolling function. In the embodiment
described above with an aperture in the extension to access the
mouse, the aperture may be large enough to expose the touchpad 420
and optional left and right click buttons 430, 432 or the aperture
can include separate openings for the touchpad and left and right
click buttons.
[0033] The above specification, examples and data provide a
description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the
invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the
invention also resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *